news THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH ISSUE 16 • SPRING 2007 RESOURCE THE NEWSLETTER OF SCOTLAND’S NATIONAL ACADEMY Glasgow’s People: Transcending Poverties The transformation of Glasgow over the last two decades has been dramatic, with evident regeneration of its economy, employment and housing. But there is still much to do to alleviate the poverty that affects many. In February a conference was held in Glasgow which investigated the continuing social, spiritual and cultural needs of Glasgow’s communities. This conference, initiated by RSE Fellows, Archbishop Mario Conti, Sir John Arbuthnott and Professor Tom Devine, was organised by the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and held in Glasgow City Chambers. A wide range of experts from within Glasgow and beyond spoke on the background and achievements of the regeneration programme, and focused on the deeper poverties of mind and spirit which underlie ongoing problems. With input from academics and social work practitioners, and support from Glasgow City Council and the Herald newspaper, the day proved thought-provoking and challenging for all who attended. A copy of the conference report will be available by May 2007 and can be ordered from the RSE Events team at [email protected] and viewed on the web site at www.royalsoced.org.uk/events Alternatives to prison debate Recognising excellence 10 years of Dolly Research & Discussion THE ENERGY CONFERENCE Friday 13 April 2007 at 10 am at the RSE Energy for Scotland: Is there a Consensus? This conference will bring to a close the Energy is vital to our national well- Places are still available for the RSE’s facilitation of the energy debate being and should not be allowed to conference, which will serve to report in Scotland, which began with the become a political football. The debate on and distil the outcomes of the launch of the Inquiry into Energy Issues must encompass all aspects of energy, country-wide events. Speakers include for Scotland in May 2005. The not just electricity. The confrontational Lord Browne, Group Chief Executive, BP subsequent report was published in nature of the public debate, particularly plc, Duncan MacLaren, Chief Executive, June 2006 preceeding a country-wide between the various technologies, is Friends of the Earth Scotland and series of public discussion forums. The false, it inhibits decision-making, and Ambassador William Ramsay, Deputy RSE Inquiry Report is available on the results in a reduction in the options. Executive Director, International Energy web page in full and summary formats These issues affect everyone and the Agency (IEA). A conference fee will at www.royalsoced.org.uk/ RSE has sought to engage as wide a apply and lunch and refreshments will enquiries.energy/index.htm range of society as possible to debate be provided. For further information Events were organised between the issues and to help better inform the or to register, contact - October 2006 and March 2007 in decisions that need to be taken [email protected] - Aberdeen, Perth, Inverness, Glasgow, urgently. - 0131 240 5000. Edinburgh and Dumfries. ALTERNATIVES TO PRISON NEW RESEARCH WORKSHOPS IN ARTS & HUMANITIES CONFERENCE The RSE has initiated a programme of research awards in the Arts and Humanities. As Are custodial sentences the most the first stage of a 3-year ‘development phase’ for this programme, the RSE will fund effective way of combatting crime? This two Research Workshops, each worth £10,000, to be held between 1 September three-day conference was organised 2007 and 30 August 2008. These workshops are to promote collaborative research in jointly with Encounter in December the Arts and Humanities. 2006. A group of eminent speakers The first recipients of the awards were appointed in March 2007 and are: addressed the issues and discussion sessions allowed the140 delegates also Mrs Diana Murray to contribute to the debate. Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland Identifying A Conference Report has now been Scotland - Context and Collaboration. published and copies are available by This will take the form of a series of workshops devoted to research on the subject of contacting the Events Team at the RSE - the built environment and the concept of place in the changing cultural landscapes of 0131 240 5000 or e.mail Scotland. The collaborators on this project are the University of Edinburgh and [email protected]. The Report Edinburgh College of Art. can also be viewed on the RSE web site. Dr John Scally Director of University Collections, University of Edinburgh Darwin’s Scotland As part of the UK-wide celebration of Darwin’s life and work, this project will address the Scotland and the Scottish institutions that Darwin encountered in Edinburgh in the early nineteenth century, and also explore the lasting influence that Darwinism has exerted among Scottish intellectuals, artists and academics right up to the present day. The collaborators include Humboldt University, Berlin, City University of New York, Cornell University, Queen’s University, Belfast, National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh College of Art, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and National Museums Scotland. The RSE hopes that an additional award may be made when confirmation of additional funding has been received. 2 President’s Perspective The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) is Scotland’s National Academy of Science & Letters. It is an independent body with charitable status. The Society organises conferences and lectures for the specialist and for the general public. It provides a forum for informed debate on issues of national and international importance. Its multidisciplinary fellowship of men and women of international standing provides independent, expert advice to key decision-making bodies, including Government and Parliament. The Society’s Research Awards programme annually awards well over £1.7 million to exceptionally talented young academics and potential entrepreneurs to promote commercial exploitation of inventiveness and boost wealth-generation. Among its many public benefit The Presidents of the five National Academies in Britain met at the end of October 2006. activities, the RSE is active in Pictured from left to right: Sir Michael Atiyah, President of The Royal Society of Edinburgh; classrooms from the Borders to the Baroness O’Neill, President of The British Academy; Sir Keith Peters, then President of The Northern Isles, with a successful Academy of Medical Sciences; Lord Rees of Ludlow, President of The Royal Society; Lord programme of lectures and hands-on Browne, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering. workshops for primary and secondary school pupils. While supporting science and its This is the time of the year when we The Royal Society of Edinburgh, applications in a variety of ways, the welcome a new cohort of Fellows of the working as part of the UK and within Society continues to be active on a wide RSE and we hope they will over time a global context, is committed to the front. In this issue of the newsletter you contribute their energy and expertise to future of Scotland’s social, economic will see the conferences on social issues our activities. Our Fellowship, with its and cultural well-being. such as that on Transcending Poverty, wide coverage of all fields, is our main held in Glasgow and that on Alternatives resource. to Prison, held in Edinburgh. This latter Sir Michael Atiyah, OM, FRS, PRSE, attracted such notables as the Chief HonFREng,HonFMedSci, HonFFA Justices of England and Ireland. We have also taken a substantial new initiative in the Arts and Humanities, a direction in STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK which we hope to expand further. The RSE Council recently agreed the Last year our Enquiry focused on the Society’s Strategic Framework for Energy needs of Scotland and its report 2007-2012. This sets our strategic appeared at an opportune time and was direction for the next five years, well received. We have maintained the establishing the way ahead for momentum in this field by following up Fellows and Staff, and seeking to the report with public meetings all over encourage others to work in Scotland. This activity will culminate in a partnership with us. A copy of the major conference in Edinburgh next Framework can be obtained on our month which will, we hope, clarify the web-site at decisions that will face the new Scottish www.royalsoced.org.uk/corporate/ Parliament. corporate_plan/framework.pdf 3 Election 2007 Outstanding New Fellows will FELLOWS ACKLAND, Graeme J. Professor of strengthen Society’s Public-Benefit Computer Simulation and Head of Condensed Matter Group, University of Capacity Edinburgh Sixty-five new Fellows were appointed in March 2007 and will be welcomed to the BEATH, John A. Professor of Economics, Fellowship at an Induction Ceremony at the end of April. RSE President, Sir Michael University of St Andrews; Chairman, Atiyah commented: Economic Research Institute of Northern Ireland; Member, Review Body on Doctors’ I am delighted to be able to welcome such an outstanding array of new Fellows to the and Dentists’ Remuneration Society. Conferring the accolade of Fellowship on individuals recognised as amongst the best minds in Scotland and around the world, is the beginning, not the end, of the BEST, Simon G. Chairman, Ardana plc; Society’s purpose. The collective expertise and experience of the Fellowship enables the The Edinburgh University Technology RSE to uphold its Royal Charter of 1783 for the “advancement of learning and useful Fund; The UK BioIndustry Association knowledge” and deliver meaningful, public-benefit activities today. BIRD, Michael I. Chair in Environmental Chosen in recognition of significant achievement in their fields and contribution to Change, University of St Andrews public service, a broad spectrum of expertise is represented in the new list of Fellows. BISHOP, Christopher M. FREng. Deputy Director, Microsoft Research, Cambridge; Professor of Computer Science, University CORRESPONDING FELLOWS of Edinburgh BROWN, Gavin.